The earisMAX Bluetooth 5.3 headphones are a quality piece of kit, and the first Auracast-enabled set we have been able to try.
At the St Paul’s Cathedral test event organised by, among others, Samsung, we had the opportunity to try their Auracast-enabled earbuds. However, we couldn’t get these to sit comfortably in our ears, so we were unable to do so.
The earisMAX Bluetooth 5.3 headphones offer no such problems: they are a traditional over-the-ears set. As with many headphones of this ilk, they are not always kind to a hearing aid’s feedback programme. In our case, that meant they couldn’t be worn comfortably with our ReSound Vivia aids, as they needed to be positioned to accommodate the aids’ microphones and ended up sitting awkwardly on our ears.
Made by Human Technik, they form part of a modular system that includes a TV Streamer and a microphone. We will review each separately. A fourth item is a headphone charger, which we include in this review.
Unboxing: first impressions of the earisMAX Bluetooth 5.3 headphones
In a word: quality.
The headphones come in a sturdy, fabric-covered carrying case. It is strong so it will protect the device while on the move. Its design means the earcups sit comfortably in the relevant sections of the case, so it is held securely. And it also creates a good first impression. These are cans that you want to be seen with.
The earcups are comfortable to wear, with padding so they don’t dig in, and the adjustable headband is solid yet cushioned, making it easy to wear for extended periods, such as watching a film.
Controls are on the side of the right earcup. They take a little practice before their order is committed to memory.
Connecting the earisMAX Bluetooth 5.3 headphones to Auracast
The earisMAX Bluetooth 5.3 headphones are wireless, so they must be connected to an audio streaming device to be used. Auracast makes that easy.
The simplest way is to connect the headphones to your phone via its Bluetooth settings. If you have Android 16 or a Samsung phone with Auracast enabled, you can then use the phone’s Auracast Assistant to connect to a stream.
It only takes a few button presses and is very straightforward.
Up to two Bluetooth devices can be paired simultaneously. The headphones can also connect to any Auracast device within range via the Assistant app, providing greater flexibility.
Human Technik also provides a free earisMAX Auracast Assistant app for both Android and iOS. It’s a small download. You must pair the headphones to the phone before they appear in the app, but once that’s done, iPhone users can also access Auracast with ease.
And the earisMAX Bluetooth 5.3 headphones app also includes calibration software in the form of TailorID 2.0. This allows sound adjustments to be personalised and stored in a profile, so settings don’t need to be reset each time.
With our hearing aids in, we are not the best people to judge sound quality. So, we asked someone with typical hearing to try them. Their verdict: impressive. Every beat was picked up, and it was like having a cinema-grade sound system in your ears.
A real thumbs up.
The range of the headphones was equally impressive. We were able to move between rooms and even walk to the bottom of the garden without losing signal. This makes it possible to put music on a hi-fi indoors and continue listening outdoors, without disturbing the neighbours.
And that’s before we get to the extra features …
Special features on the earisMAX Bluetooth 5.3 headphones
The headphones include several useful modes.
Active Noise Cancellation does what it says: in noisy places, it keeps the focus on the sound coming through the headphones. We didn’t test this in a loud environment, but the official information states that integrated microphones capture ambient noise and suppress it, while relevant sounds – such as speech, doorbells or alarms – are highlighted via transparency mode.
Transparency Mode is helpful when listening to an Auracast in a group, such as watching a film. It mixes ambient sounds with the streamed audio, ensuring conversations can still be heard.
Wear Detection pauses media playback when the headphones are taken off and resumes it when they are placed back on. This is especially handy in quiet environments such as a train carriage, ensuring no sound escapes.
Battery life and charging
The earisMAX Bluetooth 5.3 headphones are said to have a battery life of up to 80 hours on a single charge – just over three days of continuous listening.
They can be charged via a USB-C cable (the same as most modern phones). As with many new devices, they do not come with a charging plug. The assumption is that most people already have one.
For the best experience, however, we recommend the earisMAX Wireless Charging Cradle. This sleek stand features wireless charging built in, so your headphones are always ready to use. A full charge takes just over 2.5 hours.
The stand is well-made and easy to set up. Plug in the supplied USB-C cable and choose either the European or UK plug adaptor. It clicks firmly into place and is rock solid once fitted.
It looks good, is convenient, and if you keep it by your television or hi-fi, your headphones will always be ready. At £120, it’s an additional cost, but a worthwhile one for daily users.
Final thoughts
The earisMAX Bluetooth 5.3 headphones are comfortable to wear, work well and are very easy to connect to multiple devices.
While they have a premium price tag, they are premium headphones and that is obvious when you have them in your hands. They are secure on the head when worn, provide excellent sound quality, and make Auracast easily accessible.
For many, this is an excellent solution for those who want to try Auracast without committing to buying new hearing aids.
How much is it, and where can you buy the earisMAX Bluetooth 5.3 headphones with Auracast?
Our review units were provided by Sarabec, a UK-based firm supplying a wide range of hearing equipment, including assistive listening devices and alerting systems. Their product range includes TV and conversation listeners, telephones, fire alarms, alarm clocks, doorbells, tinnitus products and accessories.
A paper catalogue is available on request, and it can also be viewed online.
- earisMAX Bluetooth 5.3 headphones with Auracast: RRP £251.99 (including VAT).
- earisMAX Wireless Charging Cradle: £119.94 (including VAT).
These items are not eligible for the VAT Relief scheme.
Both can be ordered from Sarabec and are also available from other online retailers.
